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Sofia Kenin, the next favorite for the title, said goodbye at the French Open
Photo:
YOAN VALAT / EPA
Tennis player Maria Sakkari has reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career.
In the round of 16 of the French Open, the 25-year-old Greek defeated last year's finalist Sofia Kenin 6: 1, 6: 3.
As in round three, the US-American had problems with her own serve: nine double faults and not a single ace made it difficult for Kenin to get into the game.
On the other hand, there was the powerful, sovereign game of Sakkari.
The number 19 in the world shone especially when they brought the first serve into the field - if that succeeded, Sakkari also scored 84 percent of the point.
In the quarter-finals on Tuesday, Sakkari could now face Kenin's final opponent from last year: Iga Swiatek will play in the evening against the Ukrainian Marta Kostjuk for the last open place in the top eight.
A surprise winner is becoming more and more likely
If the defending champion Swiatek does not win, there will be a new Grand Slam winner this year: With the exception of the 20-year-old Polish woman, a title would be a premiere for all players remaining in the competition.
This year, numerous favorites at the French Open were eliminated early: Simona Halep, Petra Kvitová and Ashleigh Barty had given up before or during the tournament due to injuries.
Naomi Osaka had voluntarily withdrawn after being publicly criticized for her decision to forego mandatory press conferences for the benefit of her mental health.
The only 17-year-old US super talent Cori "Coco" Gauff is also there.
She prevailed 6: 3, 6: 1 against Tunisian Ons Jabeur and met Barbora Krejčíková from the Czech Republic in the round of the last eight.
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